Runoff elections explained

A runoff election is a second election held after no candidates fulfill the designated victory requirements in their first run. Along with nine other states, Georgia requires a simple majority voter count as a victory requirement. This practice is most common in the South, which has a prolonged history of one party rule — it was implemented in large part to incentivize candidates to appeal to a wider voting base, while disincentivizing ideological extremes of a certain party. Since 1988, there have been 7 statewide runoffs in Georgia, and Democrats have managed to win just 1 of the 7.

The implementation of runoff elections has been scrutinized, with many individuals supporting ranked choice voting, a form of “instant runoff elections”, rather than traditional runoff elections. This is mainly due to many concerns regarding a drop of voter participation, which some claim will lead to an inaccurate representation of the district’s preferences.

Significance of Georgia Runoff Elections

The current senate race in Georgia is extremely consequential, as it could lead to a slight Democratic majority in the Senate. Although both Democratic candidates winning in Georgia would not give Democrats a simple majority (it would result in a 50-50 split), it would give them de facto control — Kamala Harris, as vice-president, would be called upon to be the deciding vote. Subsequently, this would allow president-elect Joe Biden to have a clear path to confirming cabinet members, appointing judges, and delivering on progressive campaign promises.

Developments prior to the runoff showed promise for the Democratic campaign’s potential to flip the formally red state of Georgia — one in particular being higher youth voter turnout and lower youth political apathy. Grassroots movements, such as StudentsFor2020, played a substantial role in this , by enlisting 65,000 students in the general election.

However, republican candidates Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue held potentially decisive advantages in some aspects of the race. For one, their campaigns held a substantial edge in terms of funding — $77.2 million to $49.3 million.

Stances

Both Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff & Raphael Warnock share a common theme in their campaign strategy and platform— an emphasis on transforming the healthcare industry in America. Warnock’s campaign site states that he’s running “to fight for affordable health care, protect voting rights, and ensure the dignity of working people.” Ossoff also places an emphasis on reducing the correlation between wealth and quality healthcare. However, he does not support a Medicare for All plan, but rather a public option.

Another primary focus of their campaigns includes revitalizing the economy during the recession, and part of that entails investing in clean energy. Ossoff and Warnock both support the development of an infrastructure plan that includes massive investments in clean energy, energy efficiency, and environmental protections. They also share a mutual desire to re-enter the U.S. into the Paris Climate Accords.

Purdue has run a boldly negative campaign against his opposing candidate Ossoff; with a total of six campaign ads run against him, labeling him terms such as “radical” and “liar”. This isn’t an uncommon theme amongst right wing candidates, who have tendencies to refer to center left political figures as “radical leftists”; so frequently that it has caused infighting in the democratic party, with centrist members blaming more liberal candidates for being easy to paint as socialist.

On the republican side of the ballot, Kelly Loefner and Perdue have made promises on championing ideals regarding free trade. From her self-proclaimed experience growing up on a family farm, she states that she has experienced firsthand the impact of “burdensome” government regulations and protectionist ideals, which she cites as a primary reason for supporting deregulation. David Perdue himself has exemplified these beliefs through his policy, by having a history of cutting taxes for corporations and rolling back Dodd-Frank Regulations.

Results

As of Jan. 6th, 2021, both Warnock and Ossoff have won the Georgia Senate Regular and Special Elections, securing a de-facto Senate majority for the Democrats. After Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell controversially opposed the proposed $2000 stimulus, president-elect Joe Biden took the opportunity in the final few days before the Georgia Senate runoff election to advocate for Ossoff and Warnock.“If you send [Perdue and Loeffler] back to Washington, those checks will never get there. It’s just that simple. The power is literally in your hands,” Biden said.

Ossoff and Warnock’s victories have been met by stark opposition from numerous prominent Republican figures. President Donald Trump maintained his unsubstantiated claim of mass voter fraud, stating “There’s no way we lost Georgia. I had two elections. I won both of them.” Regardless, both Ossoff and Warnock will be sworn in by January 22nd, once election results are fully confirmed by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

Through Teen Lenses: Have you heard about the Georgia Runoff Elections and do you agree with the concept of runoff elections? Do you think Biden will be able to fulfill his campaign promises if he doesn’t have control of the senate?